Method for estimating main cause of technical problem and method for creating solution concept for technical problem

Abstract

Functions of a whole technical system are regarded as a single conversion process in which an input is converted into an output. The conversion process is observed according to condition changes and divided into plural sub-processes. A phenomenon in each sub-process is analyzed and the sub-process in which the technical problem is occurring is estimated. Thereafter, the main cause of the technical problem is estimated with reference to a technical problem classification system list in which various technical problems are classified and their main causes are systematically organized. Under assumption that the technical system in an ideal state has no technical problem, a solution concept to the technical problem is created is created by finding means for reducing a value in the item selected from the technical problem classification system list to zero.

1 . A method for estimating a main cause of a technical problem comprising the steps of: 
 (a) organizing functions of a technical system, in which said technical problem is estimated, into a single conversion process for converting an input into an output;    (b) dividing said conversion process into plural sub-processes according to condition changes in said conversion process;    (c) analyzing a phenomenon in each of said sub-processes and estimating a function of each of said sub-processes;    (d) estimating a sub-process in which said technical problem occurs; and    (e) estimating a main cause of said technical problem with referring to a technical problem classification system list in which various sorts of technical problems and main causes thereof are classified and systematized.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said phenomenon means an influence exerted by an attribute of an object on an attribute of another object in said technical system under a certain field which is energy and force, and wherein an action caused by said influence is estimated as said function if said action is controllable and provides a useful effect, while said action is estimated as said technical problem if said action is not controllable and exerts a harmful influence.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step (d) further includes the step of analyzing a goal level and a present level of achievement in said function of said sub-process and estimating a gap between said goal level and said present level as said technical problem.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein in said step (c), a phenomenon-attribute analysis flow composed of plural questions interrelating to said phenomenon is used, and wherein said phenomenon and said function of said sub-process are estimated by sequentially answering each of said questions.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein in said step (c), said phenomenon is explained with text and illustration.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said technical problem classification system list classifies said technical problem under categories of at least an achievement level of said function of said sub-process, stability of said function achievement level, and said harmful function, and wherein said each category is classified into plural items representing said main causes based on temporal and spatial perspectives.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein technical problem classification symbols symbolizing contents of items in said technical problem classification system list are used.  
     
     
         8 . A method for creating a solution concept for solving a technical problem comprising the steps of: 
 (a) organizing functions of a technical system, in which said main cause is estimated, into a single conversion process for converting an input into an output;    (b) dividing said conversion process into plural sub-processes according to condition changes in said conversion process;    (c) analyzing a phenomenon in each of said sub-processes and estimating a function of each of said sub-processes;    (d) estimating a sub-process in which said technical problem occurs;    (e) estimating a main cause of said technical problem with referring to a technical problem classification system list in which various sorts of technical problems and main causes thereof are classified and systematized;    (f) assuming an ideal state in which said technical problem does not exist, and examining movements of energy and substances to obtain said ideal state;    (g) listing attributes of materials and of members related to said ideal state; and    (h) establishing a means for achieving said ideal state by combining said examined movements, and said listed attributes.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said technical problem classification system list is classified into plural items representing said main causes of said various technical problems based on temporal and spatial perspectives, and wherein said ideal state is a state in which a value of said item corresponding to said estimated main cause is reduced to zero.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein in said step (f), an estimated phenomenon in said ideal state is explained with text and illustration.  
     
     
         11 . A computer program for executing a method for estimating a main cause of a technical problem occurring in a technical system, said computer program comprising the steps of: 
 (a) assuming a function of said whole technical system as a single conversion process in which an input is converted into an output, and inputting an initial state and a final state of said conversion process;    (b) inputting sub-processes created by dividing said conversion process based on condition changes in said conversion process;    (c) inputting an explanation of a phenomenon occurring in each of said sub-processes;    (d) inputting an estimated function of each of said sub-processes;    (e) displaying a technical problem classification system list in which various sorts of technical problems and main cause thereof are classified and systematized, and selecting a main cause of said technical problem occurring in one of said sub-processes from said technical problem classification system list and inputting said selected main cause; and    (f) producing a phenomenon-attribute analysis table based on contents input in said steps (a) to (e).    
     
     
         12 . A computer program according to  claim 11 , said step (e) further including the steps of: 
 (e1) inputting a description of an ideal state of said sub-process with said technical problem in which said technical problem does not exist;    (e2) inputting attributes of materials and of members related to said ideal state; and    (e3) inputting a means for achieving said ideal state based on contents input in said steps (e2) and (e3).    
     
     
         13 . A computer program according to  claim 12 , wherein in step (e1), said inputted explanation of said phenomenon in said sub-process with said technical problem is displayed for comparison.  
     
     
         14 . A computer program according to  claim 12 , said step 
 (d) further including the steps of:    (d1) inputting both a function achievement evaluation item to evaluate an achievement of said function in each of said sub-processes, and a goal value and a present value of said function achievement evaluation item; and    (d2) obtaining a difference between said goal value and said present value, and ranking said function achievement evaluation items according to an amount of said difference.    
     
     
         15 . A computer program according to  claim 14 , wherein in said step (e1), at least one of said function achievement evaluation items ranked higher is displayed.  
     
     
         16 . A computer program according to  claim 11 , wherein said technical problem classification system list includes technical problem classification symbols illustrating main causes of technical problems.  
     
     
         17 . A computer program according to  claim 11 , wherein input items showing contents to be input and input support items elaborating on said input items are displayed while said input operations are performed.  
     
     
         18 . A computer program according to  claim 11 , wherein said technical problem classification system list is displayed in accordance with a calling operation.